Electronic card connector, level-shifting device and digital television receiver

ABSTRACT

An electronic card connector is used to connect an electronic card to an electronic device, such as a level-shifting device. The electronic card connector includes an insert slot unit and a switch unit. The insert slot unit is adapted for insertion of the electronic card and is provided with a power signal terminal for providing electric power to the electronic card that is inserted into the insert slot unit. The 10 switch unit is disposed in the insert slot unit, is operable to establish electrical connection between the power signal terminal and a first power source when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit does not actuate the switch unit, and is further operable to establish electrical connection between the power signal terminal and a second power source when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit actuates the switch unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 097139915,filed on Oct. 17, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector, more particularly to anelectronic card connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, a digital television receiver is needed for watching digitaltelevision programs via a digital television or a computer. Further,watching programs on an encrypted pay-channel via the digital televisionreceiver requires an electronic decoding device, commonly called acommon interface (CI) decoding electronic card, disposed therein todecode a digital television signal of the encrypted pay-channel so as towatch the programs of the encrypted pay-channel.

The CI decoding electronic card is commonly inserted into a slot of anelectronic card connector of the digital television receiver, iselectrically connected to a relevant circuit of the digital televisionreceiver via the electronic card connector, and receives a power signaltherefrom. There are two different types of the CI decoding electroniccards that are configured to utilize +5V and +3.3V power signals,respectively. However, the digital television or computer is usuallyadapted to provide a predetermined power signal (+5V or +3.3V) to theelectronic card connector. Therefore, a CI decoding electronic card 1that is configured to utilize the +5V power signal, and a CI decodingelectronic card 2 that is configured to utilize the +3.3V power signalare provided with different fool-proof notches 10, 20 as shown in FIGS.1 and 2, respectively. Furthermore, the electronic card connectors areprovided with corresponding fool-proof notches so as to protect the CIdecoding electronic card 2 from burnout due to inadvertent insertioninto an electronic card connector that provides the predetermined powersignal of +5V, and to avoid an inoperable situation of the CI decodingelectronic card 1 due to insertion into an electronic card connectorthat provides the predetermined +3.3V power signal.

However, consumers are usually unaware if the electronic card connectoris adapted to provide the predetermined +5V or +3.3V power signal, suchthat the consumers may purchase a CI decoding electronic card that isconfigured to utilize a power signal different from the predeterminedpower signal provided by the electronic card connector, i.e., the CIdecoding electronic card cannot be used with the electronic cardconnector. Therefore, the conventional electronic card connector isinconvenient for consumers, and still has room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic card connector that is adapted to provide different powersignals to different electronic cards.

Accordingly, an electronic card connector of the present invention isadapted to electrically connect an electronic card with an electronicdevice that is used with a first power source and a second power source.The electronic card connector comprises: an insert slot unit adapted forinsertion of the electronic card and provided with a power signalterminal for providing electric power to the electronic card that isinserted into the insert slot unit; and a switch unit disposed in theinsert slot unit and adapted to be connected electrically to the firstand second power sources. The switch unit is operable to establishelectrical connection between the power signal terminal and the firstpower source when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unitdoes not actuate the switch unit. The switch unit is further operable toestablish electrical connection between the power signal terminal andthe second power source when the electronic card inserted into theinsert slot unit actuates the switch unit.

Preferably the switch unit is not actuated when the electronic cardinserted into the insert slot unit is one that is configured to utilizea power signal of the first power source, and the switch unit isactuated when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit isone that is configured to utilize a power signal of the second powersource.

Preferably, the switch unit includes: a pushing component movablydisposed in the insert slot unit; a spring member adapted to contactseparably the first 10 power source and having one end pushed by thepushing component; a first diode adapted to connect the second powersource with the power signal terminal in a forward bias condition; and asecond diode connecting the spring member with the power signal terminalin the forward bias condition. The spring member electrically contactsthe first power source so as to provide a power signal of the firstpower source to the power signal terminal through the second diode whenthe electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit does not causethe pushing component to move in the insert slot unit. The spring memberis pushed by the pushing component to separate from the first powersource so as to permit the power signal terminal to receive a powersignal of the second power source through the first diode when theelectronic card inserted into the insert slot unit causes the pushingcomponent to move in the insert slot unit.

Preferably, the switch unit can be a combination of a pushing componentmovably disposed in the insert slot unit, and a switch componenttriggered by the pushing component. The switch component is electricallyconnected to the power signal terminal, and is adapted to beelectrically connected to the first and second power sources. The switchcomponent establishes the electrical connection between the power signalterminal and the first power source when the electronic card insertedinto the insert slot unit does not cause the pushing component to movein the insert slot unit, and is triggered by the pushing component toestablish the electrical connection between the power signal terminaland the second power source when the electronic card inserted into theinsert slot unit causes the pushing component to move in the insert slotunit.

Preferably, when the electronic card is one that is configured toutilize the power signal of the first power source, the pushingcomponent matches a fool-proof notch provided in the electronic card,such that the electronic card does not cause the pushing component tomove in the insert slot unit when the electronic card is inserted intothe insert slot unit. When the electronic card is one that is configuredto utilize the power signal of the second power source, the pushingcomponent does not match a fool-proof notch provided in the electroniccard, such that the electronic card causes the pushing component to movein the insert slot unit when the electronic card is inserted into theinsert slot unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a level-shiftingdevice that is adapted to provide an appropriate power signal to anelectronic card inserted into an electronic card connector thereof.

Accordingly, a level-shifting device of the present invention is adaptedto electrically interconnect a tuner unit and a decoding unit of adigital television receiver. The level-shifting device comprises:

an electronic card connector adapted to be electrically connected to afirst power source and a second power source, adapted for insertion ofan electronic card, and operable to provide a power signal of one of thefirst and second power sources to the electronic card according to arequirement of the electronic card;

a first level-shifting unit adapted to be electrically connected betweenthe tuner unit and the electronic card connector, adapted to receive apredetermined power signal, and operable for shifting a signal level ofa digital television output signal of the tuner unit and for providing alevel-shifted output to the electronic card via the electronic cardconnector when the power signal provided by the electronic cardconnector to the electronic card inserted therein does not match thepredetermined power signal;

a second level-shifting unit adapted to be electrically connectedbetween the decoding unit and the electronic card connector, adapted toreceive the predetermined power signal, and operable for shifting asignal level of a digital television output signal of the electroniccard from the electronic card connector and for providing alevel-shifted output to the decoding unit when the power signal providedby the electronic card connector to the electronic card inserted thereindoes not match the predetermined power signal; and

a third level-shifting unit adapted to be electrically connected betweenthe decoding unit and the electronic card connector, adapted to receivethe predetermined power signal, and operable for shifting a signal levelof a control command exchanged between the electronic card and thedecoding unit via the electronic card connector and the thirdlevel-shifting unit and for providing a level-shifted output to adestined one of the electronic card and the decoding unit via theelectronic card connector when the power signal provided by theelectronic card connector to the electronic card inserted therein doesnot match the predetermined power signal.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a digitaltelevision receiver that is adapted to provide an appropriate powersignal to an electronic card inserted into an electronic card connectorthereof.

Accordingly, a digital television receiver of the present invention isadapted for use with a first power source and a second power source andcomprises a tuner unit adapted for receiving a digital televisionsignal, a decoding unit for decompressing the digital television signal,and the aforementioned level-shifting device electricallyinterconnecting the tuner unit and the decoding unit.

In the present invention, the pushing component of the switch unit isused to detect the fool-proof notch of the electronic card inserted intothe insert slot unit so that the appropriate power signal thatcorresponds to the electronic card can be provided to the same.Therefore, a purpose of enable use of different electronic cards withthe same digital television receiver of this invention can be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fool-proof notch of aconventional common interface (CI) electronic card that is configured toutilize a +5V power signal;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a fool-proof notch of aconventional CI electronic card that is configured to utilize a +3.3Vpower signal;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a preferredembodiment of an electronic card connector according to the presentinvention, and showing a circuit condition of the preferred embodimentwhen the CI electronic card configure to utilize the +5V power signal isinserted into the electronic card connector;

FIG. 4 shows a circuit condition of the preferred embodiment when the CIelectronic card configured to utilize the +3.3V power signal is insertedinto the electronic card connector; and

FIG. 5 shows a modified switch unit of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of an electronic cardconnector 3 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, theelectronic card connector 3 is disposed in a level-shifting device 4 forinsertion of common interface (CI) electronic cards 1 and 2 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 respectively, so that a digital television output signalinputted to the level-shifting device 4 can be decoded and a decodeddigital television output signal can be subsequently provided. As shownin FIG. 3, the level-shifting device 4 can be disposed in a digitaltelevision receiver (or a set-top box) in practice, and is for receivingthe digital television output signal provided by a tuner unit 51 of thedigital television receiver 5, decoding the digital television outputsignal via the CI electronic card 1 or 2, and subsequently providing thedecoded digital television output signal to a back-end decoding unit 52of the digital television receiver 5 for a subsequent process todecompress the decoded digital television output signal.

The electronic card connector 3 of this embodiment is adapted forinsertion of the CI electronic card 1 that is configured to utilize apower signal of a first power source (+5V) as shown in FIG. 1, and forinsertion of the CI electronic card 2 that is configured to utilize apower signal of a second power source (+3.3V) as shown in FIG. 2.However, the tuner unit 51 and the decoding unit 52 utilize apredetermined power signal (e.g., +3.3V), so it is uncertain that thepredetermined power signal matches the power signal that the CIelectronic card 1 or 2 is configured to utilize. Therefore, when asignal level of a signal that the tuner unit 51 and the decoding unit 52process does not match a signal level of a signal that the CI electroniccard 1 or 2 processes, there is a need to perform a level shift.

Therefore, aside from the electronic card connector 3, thelevel-shifting device 4 of this embodiment further includes a firstlevel-shifting unit 41 electrically connected between the tuner unit 51and the electronic card connector 3, and a second level-shifting unit 42and a third level-shifting unit 43 electrically connected between theelectronic card connector 3 and the decoding unit 52.

The first level-shifting unit 41 is adapted for shifting a signal levelof a digital television output signal transmitted from the tuner unit 51to the CI electronic card 1 or 2 via the electronic card connector 3,such that the digital television output signal can be received andprocessed by the CI electronic card 1 or 2 inserted into the electroniccard connector 3. The second level-shifting unit 42 is adapted forshifting a signal level of the decoded digital television output signaltransmitted from the CI electronic card 1 or 2 to the decoding unit 52via the electronic card connector 3. The third level-shifting unit 43 isadapted for shifting a signal level of a control command exchangedbetween the electronic card connector 3 and the decoding unit 52 so asto successfully exchange the control command between the electronic cardconnector 3 and the decoding unit 52.

Therefore, an input side of the first level-shifting unit 41 is adaptedto utilize the predetermined power signal (+3.3V), and an output sidethereof needs to selectively utilize the power signal of one of thefirst power source (+5V) and the second power source (+3.3V) accordingto the CI electronic card 1 or 2 inserted into the electronic cardconnector 3. Output sides of the second level-shifting unit 42 and thethird level-shifting unit 43 are adapted to utilize the predeterminedpower signal (+3.3V), and input sides thereof need to selectivelyutilize the power signal of one of the first power source (+5V) and thesecond power source (+3.3V) according to the CI electronic card 1 or 2inserted into the electronic card connector 3. The electronic cardconnector 3 of this embodiment includes an insert slot unit 31 and aswitch unit 32 for achieving the aforementioned purpose.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of conductive terminals (calledconductive-terminal set 33 in the following) are disposed at a side ofthe insert slot unit 31. The CI electronic card 1 or 2 is able toreceive 15 and transmit signals from and to the first, second and thirdlevel-shifting units 41, 42, 43 via electrical connections between theconductive-terminal set 33 and the first, second and thirdlevel-shifting units 41, 42, 43. Additionally, the insert slot unit 31is further 20 provided with a power signal terminal 30 for providingelectric power to the CI electronic card 1 or 2, and the first, secondand third level-shifting units 41, 42, 43.

The switch unit 32 includes a pushing component 34, 25 a spring member35 adapted to contact separably the first power source (+5V) and havingone end pushed by the pushing component 34, a first diode 36 adapted toconnect the second power source (+3.3V) with the power signal terminal30 in a forward bias condition, and a second diode 37 connecting thespring member 35 with the power signal terminal 30 in the forward biascondition.

The pushing component 34 is disposed in the insert slot unit 31 adjacentto the conductive-terminal set 33. The pushing component 34 can bepushed so as to move in the insert slot unit 31 toward the spring member35, and can be restored to an initial position via an elastic component.The pushing component 34 is formed with a block 341 that is disposed atan end thereof facing an entrance of the insert slot unit 31, and thatmatches a fool-proof notch 10 configured at the front end of the CIelectronic card 1. Moreover, the length at a side of the block 341facing the entrance of the insert slot unit 31 is longer than the lengthat a corresponding side of the fool-proof notch 20 of the CI electroniccard 2. Moreover, the other end of the pushing component 34 projectsoutwardly from the insert slot unit 31 for pushing the spring member 35.Further, when the spring member 35 is not pushed by the pushingcomponent 34, the spring member 35 normally contacts the first powersource (+5V), and the power signal of the first power source (+5V) isprovided to the power signal terminal 30 through the spring member 35and the second diode 37. When the spring member 35 is pushed by thepushing component 34, the spring member 35 is separated from 14 thefirst power source (+5V), and consequently the power signal of thesecond power source (+3.3V) is provided to the power signal terminal 30through the first diode 36. It should be noted that FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate a cooperative relationship between the fool-proof notch 10 or20 of the corresponding CI electronic card 1 or 2, and the block 341 viaschematic diagrams to facilitate illustration. Actual positions andconfigurations of the fool-proof notches 10, 20 are shown in FIGS. 1 and2, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the CI electronic card 1 is inserted into theinsert slot unit 31, it will not push the pushing component 34 due tothe fool-proof notch 10 matching the block 341 of the pushing component34. Therefore, the spring member 35 electrically contacts the firstpower source (+5V) so as to provide the power signal of the first powersource (+5V) to the power signal terminal 30 and the first, second andthird 20 level-shifting units 41, 42, 43 connecting with the powersignal terminal 30 through the spring member 35 and the second diode 37.At this time, a voltage (+5V) at a cathode of the first diode 36 islarger than a voltage (+3.3V) at an anode thereof. Therefore, the firstdiode 36 is in a reverse bias condition so as to prevent the powersignal of the first power source (+3.3V) flowing to the power signalterminal 30.

Therefore, the first level-shifting unit 41 is operable for shifting thesignal level of the digital television output signal transmitted fromthe tuner unit 51 from +3.3V to +5V, and subsequently for providing alevel-shifted output to the CI electronic card 1 via the electronic cardconnector 3. Additionally, the second level-shifting unit 42 is operablefor shifting the signal level of the decoded digital television outputsignal provided by the CI electronic card 1 from +5V to +3.3V, andsubsequently for providing a level-shifted output to the back-enddecoding unit 52. The third level-shifting unit 43 is operable forshifting the signal level of the control command exchanged between theCI electronic card 1 and the decoding unit 52, and subsequently forproviding a level-shifted output to a destined one of the electroniccard 1 and the decoding unit 52 via the electronic card connector 3.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, when using the CI electronic card 2,because the fool-proof notch 20 does not match the block 341 of thepushing component 34, the pushing component 34 will be pushed by thefront end of the CI electronic card 2 when the CI electronic card 2 isinserted into the insert slot unit 31 and moves toward theconductive-terminal set 33. Therefore, one end of the pushing component34 projects outwardly from the insert slot unit 31 for pushing thespring member 35 so as to separate the spring member 35 from the firstpower source (+5V). Therefore, when the CI electronic card 2 has beeninserted into the insert slot unit 31 completely and has establishedconnection with the conductive-terminal set 33, the first diode 36 is ina forward bias condition so as to permit the power signal terminal 30and the first, second and third level-shifting units 41, 42, 43connected thereto to receive the power signal of the second power source(+3.3V).

Because a signal level of the power signal that the CI electronic card 2utilizes is the same as the signal levels of the power signals that theturner unit 51 and the decoding unit 52 utilize, signals are transmittedthrough the first, second and third level-shifting units 41, 42, 43without performing the level shift.

It should be noted that the aforementioned configuration that utilizesthe pushing component 34 to control the spring member 35 to electricallycontact or separate from the first power source can be modified using aconventional normal-closed (NC) micro switch (not shown). That is, whenthe pushing component 34 does not trigger the NC micro switch, the NCmicro switch is normally closed and establishes an electrical connectionbetween the first power source (+5V) and the power signal terminal 30.On the other hand, when the pushing component 34 triggers the NC microswitch, the NC micro switch separates the power signal terminal 30 fromthe first power source (+5V).

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch unit 32 of this embodimentcan be also realized using the pushing component 34 cooperating with aswitch component, such as a micro switch 6. The micro switch 6 includesa common terminal (COM), an (a) node, a (b) node, and a switching blade61. The (COM) terminal is electrically connected to the power signalterminal 30; the (a) node is electrically connected to the first powersource (+5V) ; and the (b) node is electrically connected to the secondpower source (+3.3V). Moreover, one end of the switching blade 61 iselectrically connected to the (COM) terminal, and the other end iselectrically connected to the (a) node normally. When the pushingcomponent 34 triggers the micro switch 6, the other end of the switchplate 61 that is electrically connected to the (a) node normally movesso as to be electrically connected to the (b) node, such that a purposeof switching between the first and second power sources is achieved.

In sum, the pushing component 34 of the switch unit 32 is used in thisembodiment to detect the fool-proof notch of the CI electronic cardinserted into the insert slot unit 31 so that the appropriate powersignal that corresponds to the CI electronic card can be provided to theCI electronic card and to the first, second and third level-shiftingunits 41, 42, 43. Therefore, a purpose of enable use of different CIelectronic cards with the same digital television receiver 5 can beachieved.

While the present invention has been described in 5 connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A digital television receiver adapted for use witha first power source and a second power source, comprising: a tuner unitadapted for receiving a digital television signal; a decoding unit fordecompressing the digital television signal; and a level-shifting deviceelectrically interconnecting said tuner unit and said decoding unit,said level-shifting device including an electronic card connectoradapted to be electrically connected to the first power source and thesecond power source, adapted for insertion of an electronic card, andoperable to provide a power signal of one of the first and second powersources to the electronic card according to a requirement of theelectronic card, a first level-shifting unit electrically connectedbetween said tuner unit and said electronic card connector, adapted toreceive a predetermined power signal, and operable for shifting a signallevel of a digital television output signal of said tuner unit and forproviding a level-shifted output to the electronic card via saidelectronic card connector when the power signal provided by saidelectronic card connector to the electronic card inserted therein doesnot match the predetermined power signal, a second level-shifting unitelectrically connected between said decoding unit and said electroniccard connector, adapted to receive the predetermined power signal, andoperable for shifting a signal level of a digital television outputsignal of the electronic card from said electronic card connector andfor providing a level-shifted output to said decoding unit when thepower signal provided by said electronic card connector to theelectronic card inserted therein does not match the predetermined powersignal, and a third level-shifting unit electrically connected betweensaid decoding unit and said electronic card connector, adapted toreceive the predetermined power signal, and operable for shifting asignal level of a control command exchanged between the electronic cardand said decoding unit via said electronic card connector and said thirdlevel-shifting unit and for providing a level-shifted output to adestined one of the electronic card and said decoding unit via saidelectronic card connector when the power signal provided by saidelectronic card connector to the electronic card inserted therein doesnot match the predetermined power signal.
 15. The digital televisionreceiver as claimed in claim 14, wherein said electronic card connectorincludes: an insert slot unit adapted for insertion of the electroniccard and provided with a power signal terminal for providing electricpower to the electronic card that is inserted into said insert slotunit; and a switch unit disposed in said insert slot unit and 25 adaptedto be electrically connected to the first and second power sources, saidswitch unit being operable to establish electrical connection betweensaid power signal terminal and the first power source when theelectronic card inserted into said insert slot unit does not actuatesaid switch unit, said switch unit being further operable to establishelectrical connection between said power signal terminal and the secondpower source when the electronic card inserted into said insert slotunit actuates said switch unit.
 16. The digital television receiver asclaimed in claim 15, wherein said switch unit is not actuated when theelectronic card inserted into said insert slot unit is one that isconfigured to utilize the power signal of the first power source, andsaid switch unit is actuated when the electronic card inserted into saidinsert slot unit is one that is configured to utilize the power signalof the second power source.
 17. The digital television receiver asclaimed in claim 15, wherein said switch unit includes: a pushingcomponent movably disposed in said insert slot unit; a spring memberadapted to contact separably the first power source and having one endpushed by said pushing component; a first diode adapted to connect thesecond power source with said power signal terminal in a forward biascondition; and a second diode connecting said spring member with saidpower signal terminal in the forward bias condition; wherein said springmember electrically contacts the first power source so as to provide thepower signal of the first power source to said power signal terminalthrough said second diode when the electronic card inserted into saidinsert slot unit does not cause said pushing component to move in saidinsert slot unit; and wherein said spring member is pushed by saidpushing component to separate from the first power source so as topermit said power signal terminal to receive the power signal of thesecond power source through said first diode when the electronic cardinserted into said insert slot unit causes said pushing component tomove in said insert slot unit.
 18. The digital television receiver asclaimed in claim 17, wherein: when the electronic card is one that isconfigured 20 to utilize the power signal of the first power source,said pushing component matches a fool-proof notch provided in theelectronic card, such that the electronic card does not cause saidpushing component to move in said insert slot unit when the electroniccard is inserted into said insert slot unit; and when the electroniccard is one that is configured to utilize the power signal of the secondpower source, said pushing component does not match a fool-proof notchprovided in the electronic card, such that the electronic card causessaid pushing component to move in said insert slot unit when theelectronic card is inserted into said insert slot unit.
 19. The digitaltelevision receiver as claimed in claim 15, wherein said switch unitincludes: a pushing component movably disposed in said insert slot unit;and a switch component electrically connected to said power signalterminal, and adapted to be electrically connected to the first andsecond power sources; wherein said switch component establishes theelectrical connection between said power signal terminal and the firstpower source when the electronic card inserted into said insert slotunit does not cause said pushing component to move in said insert slotunit, and is triggered by said pushing component to establish theelectrical connection between said power signal terminal and the secondpower source when the electronic card inserted into said insert slotunit causes said pushing component to move in said insert slot unit. 20.The digital television receiver as claimed in claim 19, wherein: whenthe electronic card is one that is configured to utilize the powersignal of the first power source, said pushing component matches afool-proof notch provided in the electronic card, such that theelectronic card does not cause said pushing component to move in saidinsert slot unit when the electronic card is inserted into said insertslot unit; and when the electronic card is one that is configured toutilize the power signal of the second power source, said pushingcomponent does not match a fool-proof notch provided in the electroniccard, such that the electronic card causes said pushing component tomove in said insert slot unit when the electronic card is inserted intosaid insert slot unit.